Surgical Port Assembly Drive Members for Instrument Tilt Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally-invasive surgical procedures face challenges in instrument control due to spatial constraints and the need for direct visualization, with existing robotic systems being bulky, costly, and requiring extensive training, while assistants often struggle to understand the surgeon's intent for camera positioning.
Innovation Solution
A surgical port assembly with a control interface that includes drive members to move surgical instruments within a body cavity, allowing manual or automatic control of instrument positioning, including integration with sensors and wireless communication for precise alignment and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If robotic surgical systems are used to control instruments, then precision of instrument control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control functionality from a complete robotic system and concentrates it into a compact port assembly. The drive members and control interface are integrated directly into the port assembly, eliminating the need for bulky robotic arms and complex external control systems while maintaining precise instrument control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface and drive members are nested within the port assembly structure. The drive members are positioned inside the port assembly body, with shafts extending through the assembly to connect to surgical instruments, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If robotic surgical systems are used to control instruments, then precision of instrument control is improved, but training requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The port assembly is designed to be self-contained with integrated control mechanisms. The control interface allows direct manipulation of instruments through the port assembly itself, eliminating the need for extensive training on complex robotic systems. The design enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with straightforward control.
3Illumination intensity
If a camera assistant is used to control the camera, then visualization capability is improved, but communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the camera system. It provides intuitive controls that directly translate surgical needs into camera positioning commands, eliminating the need for complex verbal communication and reducing misunderstanding between surgeon and assistant.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally-invasive surgery is performed through small incisions, then patient trauma is reduced, but instrument control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical robotic manipulation systems with a simpler port assembly-based control mechanism. The drive members and control interface work together to provide sufficient precision for minimally invasive procedures without requiring the complexity of full robotic systems, thereby reducing patient trauma while maintaining control capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument and port assembly system comprising a surgical instrument and a surgical port assembly including a body defining a longitudinal axis and a control interface including a plurality of drive members coupled to the body, at least one drive member of the plurality of drive members including an engagement member coupled thereto and positioned to move in a lateral direction across the longitudinal axis of the body to selectively tilt a surgical instrument supported within the body relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.